What Zhang Huanzhi is holding is a gold medal two inches long and more than an inch wide. There are beautiful fish patterns carved around the brand, and the word "Taihe" is carved in the center. The pattern on the back is the same, the only difference is that the word "Zhang" is carved in the center. The whole brand looks like it's full of money.
"This is a token of our Taihe Trading Company. If you two come across anything that needs our help in Daliang City, just take this sign to Taihe Trading Company. After they read it, they will try their best to satisfy you no matter what your request is." , Zhang Huanzhi handed the sign to Shao Xi.
Shao Xi declined: "We are meeting the big shopkeeper for the first time, how can we accept such an expensive gift?"
"Young Master Shao, you are so polite. You saved my little girl today. I can't prepare any generous gifts while I'm away from home. Let me consider this gift as my reward for what happened today! Please don't refuse, Mr. Shao."
Shao Xi didn't want to say more, otherwise he would look pretentious. So he reached out to take the sign and said "thank you" to Zhang Huanzhi.
"May I ask the big shopkeeper what kind of business he is doing when he enters Hezhou this time?"
Zhang Huanzhi smiled and said: "They are all silk fabrics, as well as some seasonings such as salt, sugar, and honey. Because the quantity this time is quite large, I followed them in person."
Old Wu said with slight surprise: "As expected of Taihe Trading Company, it can even sell salt regulated by the government. This business is really quite big."
Zhang Huanzhi shook his head helplessly, "To tell you the truth, there is actually some business involved! We are just errands. I don't say it, but you two understand it in your heart."
Old Wu nodded clearly and didn't ask any more questions.
This salt and iron have always been subject to official control, and private sales are prohibited. Violators will be severely fined if caught. Therefore, what Zhang Huanzhi said about running errands should be referring to the salt in it. As the saying goes, "A man is not rich without external wealth, and a horse is not fat without night grass." Some officials in the court used their power to seek personal gain. The Taihe Trading Company must have reaped a lot of benefits by participating in it.
After all the troubles before, it was already getting late, so everyone took a rest after chatting for a while.
Because they have to travel every day, the camping of the caravan is relatively simple. Except for Zhang Huanzhi, Zhang Wan and some other leaders who live in simple tents set up, the others are wrapped in blankets and find a place to catch the wind next to the carriage. The location will last for one night.
Geng Hu took the initiative to give up the tent to Shao Xi and Lao Wu, while he and his men were responsible for keeping watch. Since Ding Yuan is new here, he will also be responsible for the vigil tonight. After everything was arranged, everyone who had no responsibilities went to rest.
In the middle of the night, Shao Xi got out of the tent and ran for convenience. When I came back, I happened to see Ding Yuan sitting by the fire in a daze.
"Brother Ding is now working as a guard in the caravan. He finally has a place to live and his future is settled. Why do you still look depressed? Can you tell me about it?" With that, Shao Xi handed him a wine bag. Ding Yuan.
Ding Yuan took the wine bag, opened it and took a sip. Sighing: "When I was five years old, my parents died in a big disaster and I was picked up by my master. When I was six years old, my master began to teach me martial arts and taught me the Zhanhun Spear and the 'Tan Yuan Spear Technique'. For more than ten years In the past, although I have achieved some success in martial arts, my master has also passed away. Now I am looking for refuge everywhere in order to survive. I really don’t know what the meaning of practicing martial arts over these years is?"
Shao Xi understands Ding Yuan's feelings very well. Most martial arts practitioners in the world have their own original intentions. With Ding Yuan's martial arts skills, being a horse bandit or a bodyguard would actually be a waste of his talents. But sometimes people can't help themselves and have to bow to reality.
"What are Brother Ding's plans for the future?" Shao Xi didn't believe that Ding Yu'an would be a guard for the rest of his life.
"Plans? What plans do I have now? I'll have to support myself honestly first. Without this stutter, I'm nothing." Ding Yu'an shook his head and said.
The reality is like this, some people are aloof and extravagant, while others are struggling hard to survive. However, when the storm comes, the most resilient thing is precisely the humble grass that is stepped on by people.
Shao Xi put his hand on Ding Yu'an's shoulder and said: "The moon does not change its luster, and the broken sword does not change its strength. Although Brother Ding is a little depressed at the moment, he must not sink into it. With Brother Ding's ability, he will definitely have great achievements in the future. Achievements are now only temporary measures.”
Ding Yu'an turned around and said solemnly to Shao Xi: "Brother Shao, you don't have to comfort me. Before, I thought that with my martial arts skills, I would be able to achieve a great career, but today I met Brother Shao and I realized that there is no need to comfort me." There are people out there, there are more than one or two young geniuses in this world? I should be down-to-earth and plan for the future."
"It sounds like Brother Ding has a longer-term plan. Could it be that he wants to use his experience as a caravan guard to become a bodyguard?" Shao Xi thinks this is feasible.
Unexpectedly, Ding Yu'an shook his head and said, "Although I am in such a state of poverty now, I don't plan to face these gold and silver coins all the time in the future. A man should do what a man should do. After I have some savings and money, I plan to join the army."
Shao Xi nodded and affirmed: "Joining the army is a good choice for those who practice martial arts. As for the money, I come from the grassland and don't have much money with me, but I brought some things that can be exchanged for money. Brother Ding, please wait a moment. "
Shao Xi got up and walked to his white horse, took out the bag containing the Sky Eye Stones from the horse's saddle, took out two stones from it, and handed them back to Ding Yu'an.
Ding Yuan quickly waved his hand and said: "Brother Shao, have you misunderstood me? How can I accept such a precious thing?"
Seeing Ding Yuan's fuss, Shao Xi smiled and said: "This thing may be a treasure in the eyes of others, but in my eyes it is just a stone on the grassland and Gobi. I have lived in the grassland for ten years, and there will be no shortage of such things." .Brother Ding, you don’t have to be polite, just accept it.”
Seeing what Shao Xi said, Ding Yu'an reached out and took the two Sky Eye Stones. Although he had never seen this kind of thing before, he knew its value very well. These two pieces were enough to exchange for a hundred gold. Is this more than just a hassle? This is simply a small fortune.
No matter how talented a person is or how hard he works, he will always need one or two noble people at the turning point in his life. Shao Xi didn't know if he was Ding Yuan's noble person, but since he traveled through time, if he hadn't met those kind people, he might not be alive today. So he felt that he would help as much as he could. A seemingly small help may really change a person's destiny.
Ding Yu'an stood up, bowed to Shao Xi and said, "Brother Shao's kindness, Ding will record it today, and he will repay it in the future."
Shao Xi smiled and said: "Since you and I are already friends, why do you need to be so polite to me? Tomorrow, Lao Wu and I will continue to go south to the Central Plains. You and I don't know when we can see each other again. I wish Brother Ding a speedy future. Make achievements and achieve success.”
"If there is an opportunity to help Brother Shao in the future, Ding will do his best and go through fire and water to repay brother's kindness today. I also wish my brother a smooth journey and an early arrival in Daliang."
"Okay, let's not talk anymore. It's getting late. I'm going back to sleep. I have to travel tomorrow." With that said, Shao Xi stood up and walked towards the tent where he and Lao Wu were resting.
After a while, Shao Xi came back and sat next to Ding Yuan, with a depressed look on his face.
Ding Yuan asked with a puzzled look on his face: "Why don't brothers Shao go to rest and then go back again?"
"That old guy Lao Wu didn't know what he ate at night, and his farts were so smelly! Doing this in a confined space is tantamount to murder."
Although Ding Yuan only had a partial understanding of what Shao Xi said, he understood the meaning. You can imagine what Shao Xi went through just now, and Ding Yuan could only shake his head with a wry smile.
The night passed like this. Early the next morning, at dawn, the caravan packed up and prepared to set off. Shao Xi and Lao Wu also simply packed up and prepared to continue heading south back to the Central Plains, so everyone said goodbye.
Zhang Huanzhi came with Zhang Wan and saluted Shao Xi and said goodbye, "I and my daughter will continue to go north to say goodbye to the two heroes. We will talk about it when we have the opportunity to return to Daliang City. My daughter Zhu Er and I Bon voyage.”
Zhang Wan also walked forward slowly and saluted the two of them to say goodbye.
Shao Xi and Lao Wu hurriedly returned the courtesy, which was really polite.
Ding Yu'an also came over, clasped his fists and saluted, saying: "We are going far away, so please take care of yourself along the way. We will definitely meet again in the future."
Shao Xi also clasped his fists in return, "I hope Brother Ding will get what he wants and show his talents in the future. You and I will say goodbye now and see you again when we are destined."
At this time, Geng Hu was already in front of the team, calling the caravan to set off. After everyone saluted again, they mounted their horses and embarked on their journey.
After walking far away, Ding Yuan turned back and looked in the direction where Shao Xi and Lao Wu left. He sighed in his heart: "Brother Shao is definitely not a thing in the pool. He will definitely do something in the future. I, Ding Yu'an, will definitely try my best to make Brother Shao look at me with admiration one day."
Thinking of this, Ding Yu'an felt confident and urged his horse to continue marching with the caravan...
Shao and Xi rode their horses for a long time, and Lao Wu suddenly slowed down, sat on the horse and started drinking again leisurely.
"Old guy, what are you doing again? It doesn't matter, how long will it take?"
"Why are you so anxious? This is already the border of the Central Plains. Slow down and have a drink."
"You drink during the day, you drink at night, you drink before going to bed, and you drink when you wake up. Are you a drunkard?"
"There is a way:
The sun and moon sink in the jade pot,
Drunk eyes see the world.
The world is like wine,
Drink alone for morning and evening. "
Shao Xi almost fell off the horse, "I'll choke you! You can also recite poetry?"
"What? A thief can't recite poetry?" Old Wu said proudly.
"Are all thieves so embarrassed now? It's a good poem, but why does it smell sour when you recite it?"
"It's not the sour smell of poetry, it's just that I accidentally farted again just now."
"Depend on……!"
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The moon does not change its brightness, and the broken sword does not change its strength. ——Quoted from "Ancient Meaning" by Mei Yaochen of the Song Dynasty
